COUNCILLOR SUGGESTS APPOINTMENT OF BOROUGH ENGINEER

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 196, 28 October 1955, Page 1

COUNCILLOR SUGGESTS APPOINTMENT OF BOROUGH ENGINEER

At the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, October 21, Cr J. M. Stan.ley brought up in geneval business the question of the appointment of a full-time Borough Engineer. The matter was one which he had had in mind for some considerable time. and he considered that the Council had now reached a stage where an engineer was needed. A full-time engineer could deal with many matters, and could, for example, *act as building inspector. That was done in a number of places. He was aware of the good work done by Ihe Mayor, but felt it was now necessary to take some of the duties, which would he done by an engineer, off the shoulders of the Mayor. Cr W. G. Morris said he also thought similarly. He did not know what salary would be required, but he thought they should go into it before the next annual estimates were prepared. Cr Barton said that a ratejiayer had mentioned to him the possibility of securing the services of a prominent engineer who had a holio'ay house in Taupo. It might be worthwhile to make some approach.

Cr C. J. Vedder felt that an engineer would more than save his salary in half the time he was paid for. A great lot of roadway maintenance would be eliminated with a qualified eugineer on the job. It was time they seriously considered the appointment of an engineer. Cr C. S. Currie agreed that the Council must do so. It would be essenfrial very shortly. A lot ot gratitude was owed to the Mayor for his work over the past years, but his other Mayonal duties were growing and it was not fair to expect feim to bear all the burdens, as well as the complaints which an engineer would deal with. He should not now be called on to do tr.e jobs of an engineer. The town had been ready for an engineer ever since it became a borough. The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, said he did not think such an appomtment should be considered immediately. It would be bettor to complete work on hand. He agreed that the matter was one that should be gone into, but thought it should be deferred until later. Or K. E. Young eaid that the proposal was not a new one. He polnted out that they had not been without an engineer, Mr Cheal had been available, and Mr Mandeno as the Oouncil's consulting engineer. The ratepayers had been well served. The best time to consider the matter was when t.he next estimates came up. Cr Stanley thought they should get started now. It would take some time before they could get a man, and if they started now they would only bave to pay one for say the last quarter of the present financial year. He moved that the Council appoint a registered engineer at £1000 per yefcr with a house at a weekly rental of £3. Cr Vedder seconded the motion. Cr Yonng moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred till the end of the financial year. Following discussion, the motion and amendment were withdrawi), and the matter was left to be brought up at a later date.